French Frigate Shoals (Kānemilohaʻi) 2012-2017 Action Plan Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument Draft 1Sept2011 1 SUMMARY French Frigate Shoals (Kānemilohaʻi, FFS) is an island atoll located about halfway up the Hawaiian Island Chain, part of the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Reserve, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine Refuge, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve, and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. FFS populations form a critical part in the survival of many of the species in the Monument by: (1) providing a safety net community which may more stabie than other parts of the Hawaiian chain, (2) providing the best and most easily monitored population, with the longest and most detailed monitoring dataset in the Monument, and perhaps the Pacific Islands, and (3) providing an unparalleled opportunity for education and outreach for both conservation professionals and the general public. The purpose of this document is to providing continuity in guidance through changes in staff and agency composition, and to provide an overall vision to guide effective management within the atoll. Following the guidance in this plan should lead to more effective management by providing clear goals and actions, minimizing duplication of effort and re-inventing the wheel, and identifying priorities when resources are limited. As a working document, this plan should be updated as new information becomes available, and as conditions and priorities change. The mission and goals for management are presented first. Biological goals and priorities are then presented. Conservation actions, baseline data and special projects are included for each species, habitat, for maintenance of biological diversity and for biological functions. Protection of Resources, reducing threats, managing human uses, education and outreach, staffing, infrastructure, interagency coordination, and safety are also covered. Appendices include a species list, Species Action Plans, and Habitat Action Plans. A draft Interagency Cooperative Management Agreement is attached, which could be used to assist in implementing this plan effectively. Emphasis is placed on setting specific goals and schedules, in order to guide actions toward meaningful, effective actions over the long term. Highest priority actions include fixing the septic system which empties into the ocean; providing on-site maintenance staff; soliciting and supporting graduate student/returning volunteer research to fulfill PMNM monitoring research needs; planning for long-term fiduciary needs; and facilitating interagency cooperative management. 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................... 2 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 6 French Frigate Shoals (Kānemilohaʻi) Location and Description ...................................... 7 Mission .................................................................................................................................................... 9 Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (Co-Trustees) ............................................. 9 Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine Refuge (state of Hawaiʻi) ......................................... 10 Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife refuge (USFWS) ..................................................................... 11 Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve (NOAA) ............................. 11 Mission at French Frigate Shoals/Kānemilohaʻi .............................................................................. 11 Biological Goals & Priorities (PMNM action 3.2 conserving wildlife and habitats) .................................................................................................................................... 12 Species (PMNM ACTION 3.2.1 Threatened and Endangered Species and 3.2.2 Migratory Birds) ............................................................................................................................... 12 Conservation ................................................................................................................................................... 12 Baseline Data .................................................................................................................................................. 15 Special projects ........................................................................................................................................... 16 Habitats (PMNM 3.2.3 Habitat Management and Conservation) .................................... 16 Conservation ................................................................................................................................................... 16 Baseline data ................................................................................................................................................... 17 Special projects .............................................................................................................................................. 18 Biological diversity .......................................................................................................................... 20 Conservation ................................................................................................................................................... 20 Baseline data ................................................................................................................................................... 22 Special projects .............................................................................................................................................. 22 Biological functions ......................................................................................................................... 22 Protection of Resources ...................................................................................................... 24 Reducing Marine Debris (PMNM Action 3.3.1 Marine Debris) ........................................ 24 Reducing the Impact of Alien Species (PMNM Action 3.3.2 Alien Species) .................. 24 Reducing Negative Impacts of Boat and Plane Operation (3.3.3 Maritime Transportation and Aviation Action Plan) .............................................................................. 25 Permitting (PMNM Action 3.4.1 Permitting) ......................................................................... 25 Law Enforcement (PMNM Action 3.4.2 Enforcement) ......................................................... 26 Limitations on Use (PMNM Action 3.4 Managing Human Use) ......................................... 27 Education and Outreach (PMNM Action 3.1 understanding and interpreting) 30 Scientific Community ................................................................................................................... 30 Targeted populations .................................................................................................................. 30 Native Hawaiians (PMNM Action 3.5.3 Native Hawaiian Community Involvement), Local, and Classroom Involvment (PMNM Action 3.5.2 Constituency Building and Outreach) ......................................................................................................................................................... 30 3 Undergraduate And Graduate Students, Conservation Professionals, And Agency Staff 31 General public (PMNM Action 3.5.2 Constituency Building and Outreach) .... 32 Staffing Goals & Priorities .................................................................................................. 33 Permanent Staff ................................................................................................................................ 33 Seasonal Staff ..................................................................................................................................... 36 Volunteers ......................................................................................................................................... 37 Facilities Goals & Priorities ................................................................................................ 39 Power, Water, and Septic ............................................................................................................... 41 Structures and Equipment ............................................................................................................ 41 communication ................................................................................................................................. 43 Transportation of Personnel and Supplies ............................................................................. 44 Biological Monitoring Supplies ................................................................................................... 45 Small Boating Operations .............................................................................................................. 47 Interagency Coordination (Action 3.5 coordinating conservation and management activities, 3.5.1 Agency Coordination, and action 3.6.3 Coordinated Field Operations) ......................................................................................... 48 Interagency Training